Obituary of Daniel Lassen

The man. The myth. The legend. Dan Lassen, 84, of Niles, passed away while surrounded by his loved ones on Tuesday, August 8, 2017. Dan's beloved bride Pat and his close friends, Phil, Roger, Bill, and Jay were his heroes; and Dan was the hero to his three children, Dolores, Judy, and Janet (even though he could be an ornery son of a gun at times). He loved his family, his close friends, golf, bowling, poker, PBR, and chocolate chip cookies for breakfast, not necessarily in that order. He disliked unbalanced checkbooks, change of any type, and stopping to let his wife and daughter use the restroom when they traveled, but not necessarily in that order. Dan was a financial wizard. As a younger man, Dan began working at LaSalle Liquors as a delivery driver. While there he began to put himself through school and soon started to work in the office doing accounting. When it came to crunching numbers and balancing a checkbook Dan was one of the best in the business. And he LOVED doing it. He left his job at LaSalle, graduated from IUSB with a Bachelor's Degree in Finance and began working for Niles Steel Tank where he retired after 38 years as their Corporate Controller; without missing one single day of work. He was a lifetime member of the Niles Elks Lodge #1322. He was faithful to the brotherhood and proudly served as Treasurer for many years. He was also actively involved in the Elks Golf League for over 21 years. He was preceded in death by his parents, Daniel and Bernice Lassen and his sister, Christine Schwertley. Dan is survived by his beloved bride of 54 years, Pat Lassen; daughters, Dolores (Mike) Derdak of Lebanon, Tennessee, Judy (David) Nemeth of Wake Forest, North Carolina, and Janet Lassen of Niles; his "adopted son", Steve Gillispie of Niles; brothers, Lloyd (Betty) Lassen of North Port Richey, Florida and John and (Jodi) Lassen of Steeles Tavern, Virginia; nephew, Michael Neher of Madison, Wisconsin; five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren who all loved him dearly and will miss him very much as well as many extended family members and very dear friends. A time to gather and share memories will take place on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, at Brown Funeral Home from 3:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. with a service to celebrate Dan's life beginning at 6:30 p.m. There will also be a special gathering for everyone on Sunday, August 20, 2017, at the Niles Elks Lodge #1322. A service will take place at 1:00 p.m. followed by a gathering until 8:00 p.m. Those wishing to donate food for the Elks gathering are encouraged to contact Barb Leaver at (269) 683-5738. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Niles Elks Lodge #1322 or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church.